Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Latest from Matt Thurber

Maintenance and Modifications

SkyWay Adds CitationJet/CJ1/M2s to SkyFlush Upgrade

Eliminates need to carry waste tank through cabin for emptying
SkyWay SkyFlush installation
Maintenance and Modifications

EFA Buys 90% Stake in MRO Provider Superior Air

Greece-based company will be able to expand into defense markets
Superior Air in Greece
Maintenance and Modifications

Aloft, 101 Aviation STCing Lithium Battery for GIV, GV

True Blue Power batteries weigh up to 60% less than conventional units
True Blue Power TB50 lithium-ion battery
Security

Pilots Held in Guinea Freed from Jail, but in Detention

No information is available about when they might be released
CBS News interview with Brad Schlenker
Accidents

Hop-A-Jet: NTSB Final Report Is ‘Accurate Assessment’

Company wants lessons learned to be shared in bizav community
N823KD Hop-A-Jet Challenger 604
Accidents

NTSB: Corroded Engine VG Parts Caused Naples CL604 Crash

Engines were sent to the manufacturer for evaluation
Accident
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SpaceX Revises Pricing for GA Starlink Access

New service levels provide more data for the same or lower pricing
Cirrus FLEX SR Mount Starlink Mini antenna system
FutureFlight

VerdeGo Makes Move from R&D to Customer Deliveries

Pre-certification powerplant offers OEMs opportunities for testing
Article image
Finance, Taxes, Insurance

ForeFlight Launches Aircraft Insurance Marketplace

Goal is to make the process similar to buying car coverage
Jeppesen ForeFlight insurance
Safety

FAA OKs Klatt Works Oxygen Mask/Emergency HUD in G550

Augmented reality glasses let pilots see vital flight information during smoke events
Klatt Works Saved viewing system
Maintenance and Modifications

P&WC Expands Singapore Helicopter, T-prop Support

First turboshaft MRO capability at the Asia-Pacific base
Pratt & Whitney Canada's Singapore engine test cell
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Jet Aviation Plants Own Brand on IFE/CMS

IFX is an in-house-developed product line available for a variety of aircraft
Jet Aviation IFX in-flight entertainment and cabin management system
Rotorcraft

Enstrom’s Newest Turbine 480B Approved and Ready

First models feature legacy instruments but glass panel approval pending
Enstrom 480B helicopter
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Astronics Introduces Qi2 Wireless Charging, USB-C Port

Installable in a variety of locations, including seats, galleys, and crew rest areas
Astronics Qi2 wireless charger
Maintenance and Modifications

Wildhorse Helicopters Bell 47 Gets Full NVG Treatment

Modification helps company complete UAV delivery flight testing
Wildhorse Helicopters Bell 47 helicopter
Maintenance and Modifications

ScaleWings Taps Crewchief Tracking for Builders/Owners

System eliminates paper logbooks and simplifies monitoring of aircraft requirements
ScaleWings SW-51 airplane
Avionics

Garmin Marries Satellite Messaging with D2 Mach 2 Pro

New features added from company’s inReach satcom technology
Garmin D2 Mach 2 Pro watch
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Owners Control the Map with FlightPath3D’s BizAvStudio

Tool simplifies process of making changes, including adding company branding
FlightPath3D BizAvStudio
Avionics

Sporty’s PJ2 GPS Adds Nav Features to Handheld Radio

Device features standard headset plugs with no adapter required
Sporty's PJ2 GPS
Sustainability and Environment

Airbus Firefighting System Networks Variety of Vehicles

Testing showed promising results for reducing time to deployment
Airbus firefighting system
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Aero DC Adds Embraer 135s, 145s to Starlink STC List

High-speed, low-latency satcom available via low-earth-orbit network
Airports

Garmin Guides SNF Flyers with SmartCharts Arrival

Provides navigation assistance for a busy airshow traffic environment
Lakeland Parker VFR arrival Garmin SmartChart
Cabin Interior and Electronics

ThinKom Antenna Supports Multi-orbit Satcom

Multi-orbit capability supports growing interest in satcom redundancy
ThinKom ThinAir Nexus satellite antenna
Maintenance and Modifications

Brazil’s ANAC Approves Solojet’s Sovereign Maintenance

Adds capabilities that will benefit customers based in Brazil
Cessna Citation Sovereign business jet
Rotorcraft

Rotortrade Sells First Airbus H160 in Argentina

Southern Cone sale introduces model to new Latin America market
Rotortrade sells Airbus H160 in Argentina
Avionics

Jeppesen ForeFlight Adds FliteDeck Pro Graphical Notams

Airline-focused app’s latest version gains a number of new features
Jeppesen ForeFlight graphical notam
Training and Workforce

Chicago Launching Barrington Irving STEM Initiative

Program introduces students to FBO and MRO aviation career opportunities
Barrington Irving Technical Training School
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Líder Aviação Installs First Gogo Galileo Satcom in Brazil

Customer’s Global 6000 now has multi-orbit satcom capability
Global 6000 with Gogo Galileo satcom
Maintenance and Modifications

Duncan Aviation Technicians Complete PW308 Training

Four-week class conducted by specialists from the engine manufacturer
Duncan Aviation technicians working on a PW308 engine
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Alto Aviation Logs 100th Falcon Audio Installation

Products added to Falcon models that include the 50, 900, 2000, and 7X
Alto Aviation cabin audio system